To apply for a North Carolina REAL ID driver license or ID card, you must visit a driver license office with the documents outlined in the following table.
Examples of acceptable documents for each requirement are given shown below the table.
One document (with full name) proving identity and date of birth
| X | X
|
One document (with full name and full Social Security Number) confirming Social Security number
| X
| X
|
| Two documents (with current physical address) proving North Carolina residency | X
| X
|
One document proving liability insurance coverage from a provider licensed to do business in North Carolina (not required for a learner's permit)
| X
| |
If applicable, one or more documents verifying any name change
| X
| X
|
For non-U.S. citizens, one document (with full name) proving legal presence/lawful status
| X
| X |
Get prepared for your office visit
Heading to NCDMV for your REAL ID? Use the
REAL ID Document Wizard to create a list of documents you will need for your visit.
Acceptable documents
Identity and date of birth
Requirement:
One document (with full name) from the list below.
Note: An individual's name as indicated on the proof of Social Security document must match one of the documents below. Otherwise you must provide a proof of name change, such as a certified marriage license or certificate, divorce decree or document from the courts or Register of Deeds.
Document type
| Acceptable documents
| Notes |
|---|
Birth certificate
| | - Must be issued by a government agency in the United States, a U.S. territory (for Puerto Rico the document must have been issued July 1, 2010 or later) or Canada
- Photocopies not allowed unless certified by the issuing agency
|
U.S. passport
| Valid, unexpired passport from the United States
| Digital versions not accepted, per the Department of Homeland Security
|
Valid, unexpired foreign passport
| Valid, unexpired passport from any nation
| Must be accompanied by an affixed valid, unexpired U.S. visa and I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
|
REAL ID
| A valid, unexpired REAL ID driver license or identification card issued from a REAL ID-compliant state
| |
Social Security number
Requirement:
One document (with full name and full Social Security number) from the list below.
Note: An individual's name as indicated on the proof of identity document must match one of the documents below. Otherwise you must provide a proof of name change, such as a certified marriage license or certificate, divorce decree or document from the courts or Register of Deeds.
- Social Security card (photocopies not allowed)
- 1099 tax form with name and FULL Social Security number
- W-2 form with name and FULL Social Security number
- Payroll record with name and FULL Social Security number
North Carolina residency
Requirement:
Two documents (with current address) from the list below. Additional documents are recognized for minors.
- Any document issued by the state of North Carolina or a county or city in North Carolina or the federal government
- North Carolina Vehicle Registration Card, insurance policy or title
- North Carolina Voter Precinct Card
- Military orders or military documents
- Utility bill or cable bill
- Housing lease or contract, mortgage statement, property or income tax statement
- Preprinted financial statement
- School records
- Letter from homeless shelter
Legal presence/lawful status (for non-U.S. citizens)
Requirement: For non-U.S. citizens,
one document (with full name) from the list below.
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240, Form DS-1350 or Form FS-545)
- Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766 or I-688B)
- Valid, unexpired
foreign passport (must be accompanied by an affixed valid, unexpired
U.S. visa and I-94 Arrival/Departure Record)
- Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)
- Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
Name change
Requirement:
One or more documents from the list below if the name is different from the name on the birth certificate, passport, another REAL ID or other U.S. government documents.
Note: Multiple name changes require multiple documents to trace each name.